Education: University of Technology, chemical technology
Age: 43

Tell us how your career has developed?
I started out as an assistant production manager at Unilever, and after that I worked for DHV as a process technologist, project leader and manager, and account manager. Subsequently, around the age of 40,
I moved to Cumae as a senior project manager.
At the time I had ambitions of moving up in the company and being promoted to department head but, as it turned out, Cumae was taken over by Iv-Groep at the end of 2007. Following the takeover, things developed rapidly and I was soon appointed to the board of directors.

How can you explain this sudden career growth?
Through hard work! It is not that I knew from the outset exactly what I wanted and what I could achieve. I was however always aware that leading, managing, networking and doing business were areas that I was good in, and suited my personality. I achieve a great deal of satisfaction in having a team perform well, and people working more productively. These qualities aside, thorough technical knowledge is vital. This is and always will be the foundation – it can be seen right throughout lv-Groep.

What challenges do you see for yourself in the future?
In my present function as adjunct director I share the responsibility for the further expansion of both Iv-Industrie and Iv-Bouw. However, management remains constantly challenging. Getting the right people together, for example, is one aspect of this. Infusing one’s enthusiasm into a group is another. The application of strategic insight also plays a critical role.
  

How do you see the further development of Iv-Industrie in the coming years?
Iv-Industrie serves a broad market with various disciplines. For example, Process, Piping & Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation & Automation, Buildings, Structures, Energy & Water and Project Management. We focus on pharmaceutical, food, chemical, industrial, energy generation & supply, and transport & logistics. In the coming years we aim to intensify the cooperation between our branches, and to bring about substantial growth. I am convinced that the efforts of Iv-Industrie together with the expertise supplemented by the other Iv-Groep divisions will ensure a rosy future.

 
"It is not that I knew from the outset exactly what I wanted to achieve."